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Madrid
From Madrid to Heaven
The popular Spanish saying goes “From Madrid to heaven and a peep-hole to see it through”. This should give you a pretty good idea of all the wonders the city has in store for you. Prepare to take a trip through ancient and recent history as you stroll along its streets lined with beautiful buildings converging in grand squares. A trail to discover some of the finest artwork of all time, as well as fantastic leisure options and thousands of activities to choose from.
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Hostal Castilla is an excellent choice allowing you to discover Madrid from the inside thanks to its great location, its lovely team of staff and the chance to experience the city’s everyday life.
The capital city of Spain draws in tourists and visitors by the millions every year who are eager to get a taste of its culture gastronomy and leisure. It is also a key hub for sporting events and musical performances.
Its cultural attractions range from the so-called Triangle of Art and the immense Plaza Mayor to a stroll through the neighbourhoods of Barrio de las Letras or El Madrid de los Austrias, or a wander down the vibrant street of Calle Arenal to the Royal Palace.
Adding to its cultural heritage is its magnificent nightlife with a wonderful variety of bars and restaurants that, by night, turn into buzzing nightclubs with a history of their own. This includes the famous movida madrileña, a countercultural movement also known as the “Madrid Scene” that spread beyond Spanish borders and ensured the 1980s would be long remembered in the city.
Not to mention the gastronomic wealth that Madrid is famous for, including its popular tapas served with a refreshing Mahou beer. A treat for visitors and locals alike.
There are special times of the year that make a trip to Madrid particularly worthwhile, like Christmas, the celebrations in honour of the Patron Saint Isidro Labrador in May, the street parties in August and, of course, the big Real Madrid vs Barcelona matches. But whatever the season, Madrid never disappoints!
People who visit Madrid always come back to bring friends or relatives who they can’t wait to show everything they have discovered. Madrid is a city to remember, and staying right in the centre is the best possible way to take in its true charm.
Art and culture
The name Madrid is a symbol of art, history and distant times fading one into the other giving rise to sites such as the Plaza Mayor, the Cathedral of La Almudena, the Botanical Gardens, the Puerta de Alcalá gateway and the famous fountains: Cibeles and Neptuno.
Sunday is a great day to set off from the centre and meander down Calle Toledo as it branches out of the Plaza Mayor to reach the amazing Rastro flee market. You will find everything you could possibly imagine here and the best way to round off the morning is a bite to eat and a drink in the buzzing La Latina district.
The museums of El Prado, Thyssen and Reina Sofía draw a triangle on the map known as the Triangle of Art, displaying masterpieces by Velázquez, Goya and other renowned painters and sculptors who have all made their mark. The art tour is only complete with a visit to the Caixa Forum and its variety of activities.
Football is another of the city’s powerful attractions.
Real Madrid and Atlético de Madrid are the city’s two great teams and the most popular among visiting football fans, who never miss a chance to watch a gripping game at their stadiums.
The Santiago Bernabéu stadium lies towards the end of La Castellana, one of the vast boulevards that cross the city. The field, the museum, the quality of the football played there and the variety of nearby leisure options make this a very worthwhile experience.
The Atlético de Madrid’s new Wanda Metropolitano stadium replaced the old Calderón stadium in 2017. These modern facilities have plenty of room for supporters. The new stadium is slightly further outside the city, but a trip to see it is worth the distance.
New urban venues and entertainment
The city centre is home to a wonderful array of old market halls that have been transformed to shape a new gastronomic concept: San Miguel Market in La Latina, San Antón Market in Chueca and San Fernando Market in Lavapiés.
The stretch of the river near Atocha known as Madrid Río has become one of Madrid’s lungs, pumping oxygen into the city along with Casa de Campo. The reformed riverside is great for cycling or skating and is equipped with kiosks and play areas for a great Saturday morning outing.
The venues of El Matadero, la Casa Encendida and La Tabacalera are three of the city’s most important cultural centres representing urban and social innovation. They each offer a range of activities and workshops for all age groups and tastes.
Madrid’s gastronomy and cuisine
The Spanish capital boasts its own traditional cuisine. Nobody should allow themselves to leave without sampling a wholesome dish of Cocido Madrileño stew, a calamari sandwich in Plaza Mayor, or an indulgent cup of hot chocolate with churros in San Ginés for breakfast.
But Madrid also boasts some exquisite haute cuisine, housing 18 Michelin Star restaurants who have earned as many as three stars each! The city is the perfect place to blend innovation with fine dining.
Shopping in Madrid
The Salamanca District with its Golden Mile is an irresistible attraction for Madrid shoppers. The major national and international brands are all there, spread out along Calle Serrano, Goya and Claudio Coello.
And then there is Gran Vía, which has been renovated to make more room for pedestrians, welcoming the crowds who reach it guided by the light of the Schweppes sign. Calle Princesa is another fantastic shopping street, while Las Rozas Village contains a staggering range of shops at great prices.
Fun for all the family
Madrid is a city for all age groups. The City Council’s culture centres and Madrid’s shopping centres are always ready to welcome visitors with an action-packed line-up of educational activities and games for the little ones.
The Zoo, the Faunia nature park and the Warner Bros Theme Park are just some of the many children’s leisure options in and around the city. These theme parks also host performances and activities for the not-so-little-ones.
Madrid and beyond
The Community of Madrid spreads further than the city’s borders. If you are coming for several days, don’t miss the chance to visit Alcalá de Henares where Miguel de Cervantes was born, the lake of San Juan, the town of Buitrago de Lozoyuela in the mountains or the historical city of Aranjuez.
The medieval city of Toledo is not far away, with wonderful paintings by El Greco, nor is the mighty aqueduct in Segovia or the towering city walls in Avila. Apart from their architectural appeal, these three cities are famous for a rich gastronomy of mouthwatering traditional dishes.